Author: Emil Lazarian

EU STEPS UP PRESSURE FOR TURKISH PENAL-CODE REFORM
EurActiv
Sept 25 2006
The EU welcomed the decision to clear a writer of charges, but insists
that Turkey changes its laws to allow greater freedom of expression.
Background:
Cases brought against writers in Turkey gave cause for international
concern about the so-called Turkishness trials. Turkey had dropped
charges against the writer Orhan Pamuk earlier this year, following
strong pressure from the EU. The Commission has asked Turkey to
remove article 301 of the penal code, which served as a basis for
the trials. Issues:
Author Elif Shafak was acquitted of charges on 21 September 2006. The
court said there was no evidence that she insulted “Turkishness”
in her novel. Shafak’s book menioned the mass killing of Armenians
during the Ottoman Empire.
Similar cases of trials have raised concerns over the state of freedom
of speech in Turkey. Shafak stated that the law was used against
people to silence them. The Commission has urged that unjustified
claims be dismissed and to acquit those accused.
Commission spokesperson Krisztina Nagy said that the situation would
be reflected in the regular progress report on Turkey’s EU accession,
to be published on 8 November 2006.
European Parliament sources say that the delay of the report was due to
the unresolved Cyprus issue. The EU Presidency is currently holding
intensive talks with Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and other interested
parties to try to unblock an EU deal to open direct trade with the
Turkish Cypriots and convince Turkey to open its ports and airports
to traffic from Cyprus. Positions:
Commission spokesperson Krisztina Nagy said that “the Commission
welcomes this recent judgement. This is obviously good news.”
However, she insisted that article 301 “continues to pose a significant
threat to freedom of expression in Turkey and to all those who express
a non-violent opinion”.
Dutch MEP Joost Lagendijk said on the issue concerning article 301
“the Turkish government has a majority in parliament. This is an issue
where they could act. If they don’t, it makes it much harder to find
a compromise on Cyprus as well, so this has an influence much wider
than only freedom of speech. It can influence the negotiation process
positively if something happens, and negatively if nothing does.”
British MEP Richard Howitt said that “there are 80 such cases going
on at the moment. Most are opened for political reasons. As long
as the law remains unchanged, these people will be able to carry on
causing mayhem.”
Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan made clear that he was ready
to consider amending a controversial article of the penal code:”Let’s
sit down and discuss this. We have to forge a consensus.”
Turkish Justice Minister Cemil Cicek said that the government would
first monitor the implementation of the controversial article 301
before considering changing it. Latest & next steps:
The European Parliament is to debate and vote the Eurlings report
on Turkey’s accession at the next plenary session in Strasbourg
on 26-27 September 2006. The report imposes tough conditions on
Turkey. It emphasises outstanding issues, such as the Cyprus issue,
the controversial article 301, as well as insufficient progress in
the areas of freedom of expression, minority rights, corruption and
violence against women.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

EURLINGS HOPEFUL FOR CHANGES TO EP TURKEY REPORT
ABHaber, Belgium
EU-Turkey News Network
Sept 25 2006
European Parliament Rapporteur on Turkey and Dutch MEP Camiel Eurlings
expressed hope over the weekend that a highly criticized move to
include recognition of claims of Armenian genocide as a precondition
to Turkey’s EU membership in the draft report will be withdrawn.
The European Parliament will discuss this week the key report on
Turkey’s European Union accession together with around a hundred
proposals for amendments on contentious issues like the claims of
Armenian genocide, the Cyprus problem and the pope’s recent remark on
Islam. The report is expected to be voted on in the General Assembly
on Wednesday.
A group of Christian Democrat deputies made a last-minute attempt
late Friday to insert a paragraph to the report condemning angry
Muslim reaction to the pope’s remarks, but Eurlings intervened to
avoid a bigger reaction from the Turkish side, which has already
raised several objections to the elements in the draft report.
Eurlings and two other deputies, Italian MEP Antonio Tajani and British
MEP Charles Tannock, suggested an amendment saying that the EP “hopes
the forthcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Turkey will contribute
to strengthening interreligious and intercultural dialogue between
the Christian and Muslim worlds.”
In an interview with Brussels-based web news portal ABHaber.com,
Eurlings expressed regret for the draft report’s misinterpretation
in Turkey and his being perceived as an enemy of Turkey. Eurlings
said that he is hopeful that the last-minute insertion of the claims
of the Armenian genocide claims in the report as a precondition for
Turkey’s EU membership will be taken out.
A considerable number of deputies from the EP’s Socialists and Greens
also raised objection to inclusion of the controversial issue and
demanded change in the wording.
In the interview, Eurlings underlined his firm support to Turkey’s
EU accession and said the draft report also included a perspective
of full membership, not special partnership.
The EP’s draft report levels strong criticisms in a number of issues,
including a slower pace of political reforms, the continuing role of
military in politics, problems faced by non-religious minorities,
Turkey’s reservations to opening its ports to Greek Cypriots, and
demands that Ankara to recognize claims of Armenian genocide and
officially recognize the Greek Cypriot administration.
Turkish officials, in a written memo, briefed MEPs about Turkey’s
efforts in the EU process and raised objections to various elements
mentioned in the report.
Below are excerpts of the draft EP report and objections from the
Turkish side on the two most controversial issues: claims of an
Armenian genocide, and the Cyprus problem.
Claims of Armenian ‘genocide’
– EP report:
Article 50: [The EP] takes note of the proposal by Turkey to
establish a bilateral committee of experts in order to overcome the
tragic experience of the past, and the position of Armenia regarding
that proposal; urges both the Turkish government and the Armenian
government to continue their process of reconciliation leading to a
mutually acceptable proposal; welcomes that, with the recent debates
in Turkey, at least a start has been made with the discussion on the
painful history with Armenia; stresses that, although the recognition
of the [so-called] Armenian genocide as such is formally not one of
the Copenhagen criteria, it is indispensable for a country on the
road to membership to come to terms with and recognize its past;
calls in this respect on the Turkish authorities to facilitate the
work of researchers, intellectuals and academics working on this
question, ensuring them the access to the historical archives and
providing them with all the relevant documents; urges Turkey to
take the necessary steps, without any preconditions, to establish
diplomatic and good neighborly relations with Armenia, to withdraw
the economic blockade and to open the land border at an early date,
in accordance with the resolutions adopted by Parliament between 1987
and 2005, thereby fulfilling the Accession Partnership priorities and
the requirements of the Negotiation Framework on “peaceful settlement
on border disputes” which are both mandatory for EU accession; a
similar position should be adopted for the cases of other minorities
(e.g. the Greeks of Pontos and the Assyrians).
– Turkey’s objection:
Turkey’s foreign policy rests on an overarching principle of developing
good neighborly relations with its neighbors. Armenia does not
represent an exception to this policy. It is, in fact, noteworthy that
Turkey was only second to Lithuania in officially recognizing Armenia’s
independence. (…) Direct flight connections are established between
Istanbul and Yerevan, and seasonally between Antalya and Yerevan,
with a view to facilitate travels of Armenian nationals.
Armenian nationals are welcome to visit Turkey without restrictions.
They are accorded visas valid for 30 days upon their arrival in
Turkey. Over 40,000 Armenian nationals are estimated to reside
in Turkey at any given time, often overstaying their visas, to
seek employment. (..) With an aim to provide fresh impetus for a
rapprochement between Turkey and Armenia, and to help develop an
atmosphere of understanding on a controversial period of our common
history, Turkey has proposed establishing a joint commission of
historians to study the events that took place in 1915. (…) However,
the proceedings geared to boost this proposal have so far not yielded
tangible results due to Armenia’s reluctance to engage with the
process. (…) It is clear that the EP could carry out this moral
undertaking through its leverage to positively influence Armenia. The
European Neighborhood Policy could be employed towards this end.
Cyprus problem
– EP Report:
Article 52: [The EP] expresses its disappointment over the fact that,
in spite of its contractual obligations, Turkey continues to maintain
restrictions against vessels flying the [Greek] Cypriot flag and
vessels approaching from harbors in the [Greek] Republic of Cyprus,
denying them access to Turkish ports, and against [Greek] Cypriot
aircraft, denying them flying rights over Turkey and landing rights
at Turkish airports; reminds Turkey that this practice constitutes
a breach by Turkey of the Association Agreement, the related Customs
Union and the Additional Protocol, as the restrictions infringe the
principle of the free movement of goods; seeks to work with the Turkish
authorities to enable them to comply in full with their obligations in
this respect without seeking to exacerbate domestic political tensions
contrary to the interest of long-term reconciliation for Cyprus;
regrets that Turkey maintains its veto against the participation of
the [Greek] Republic of Cyprus in international organizations and in
multilateral agreements;
– Turkey’s objection:
According to the relevant Turkish legislation, there is no impediment
for the free circulation of products from all EU member states
within the framework of the Turkey-EC Customs Union Agreement. Our
foreign trade figures confirm this fact. There exists a difference of
interpretation between Turkey and the EU as far as the implementation
of the Customs Union is concerned.
At the same time, it should be kept in mind that there exists a
political problem regarding Cyprus, which has been on the agenda of
the UN Security Council for decades. Until this issue is satisfactorily
settled under the UN, we will all have to live with these difficulties
that are actually related to the very problem itself.
Therefore, we believe that Turkey should not be expected to meet
certain deadlines to which it has not bound itself through any mutual
understanding. (…) Turkey has already completed courageous openings
towards the Greek Cypriots. For example, they can freely travel
to Turkey by obtaining entry visas at the border. Bilateral trade
exists. The borders on the island were opened for crossings in 2003.
More unilateral steps will amount to rewarding the “policy of
rejection” of the Greek Cypriot leadership and will help strengthen
the position of the “No” camp in south Cyprus. Is this what the Union
really wants?
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

HSBC BANKING GROUP INTENDS TO ENLARGE ITS ACTIVITIES IN ARMENIA
Arka News Agency, Armenia
Sept 25 2006
YEREVAN, September 25. /ARKA/. HSBC banking group intends to enlarge
its activities in Armenia, Stephen Green, the group chief executive,
said Saturday as he met Armenian President Robert Kocharyan in Yerevan,
the president’s press office reports.
The presidential press office also quoted Kocharyan as saying that
HSBC’s credit portfolio started playing a major part in Armenia’s
economy.
HSBC activities were discussed at the meeting as well as prospects
for the bank involvement in Armenia’s insurance market.
HSBC Bank Armenia, whose parent bank is HSBC Bank plc, was registered
on September 25, 1995.
HSBC Bank plc, a branch of HSBC Holdings plc, possesses 70% of HSBC
Bank Armenia shares, and 30% belong to overseas Armenian investors.
Balance profit of HSBC Bank Armenia totaled AMD 4.6 billion by June
30, 2006 and profit for Jan-June 2006 made 1.5 billion. The bank’s
statutory fund is AMD 2.4, assets are AMD 71.5 billion and total
capital is AMD 7.3 billion. Aggregate credit portfolio of HSBC Bank
Armenia was AMD 22.9 billion by June 30, 2006.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

[Zoryan note: The following article was translated from Turkish by the
Zoryan Institute, which does not necessarily agree with nor endorse
the contents of the article.]
“LET US MEET WITH THE ZORYAN INSTITUTE”
by Özdemir Ince
Hurriyet, September 24, 2006
They all want to make me puke – Article 301 of the Penal Code, the trial of
Elif Shafak, the defense, the prosecutor, the people who express opinions on
the trial, all of them.
My poor Turkey, my poor bleeding country!
How come the Justice Ministry of this government does not prepare an
Implementation Guideline for Article 301, even though they do everything in
order to paralyze the Revolutionary Laws?
How come the EU and the mouthpieces of the European Parliament do not want
an Implementation Guide for Article 301 but insist on the outright abolition
of this Article? And our government keeps on insisting that they won’t
abolish it. I think there is a pre-meditated cooperation here.
The ones that really make me puke are our human rights defenders, democracy
apostles and their followers… This group, which neglects criticizing the
current AKP government but instead targets the Republic when it comes to
Article 301, labels as Fascist and Kemalist all supporters of the Republic
and its reforms.
There is also the group that really went to extremes like the SS as court
reporters in the name of nationalism and patriotism. They are also the
natural actors in this carnival!
When I was thinking and getting distressed about all this, I learned from
Ruhat Mengi’s editorial (Vatan newspaper, 20.09.06) that Article 301
defendant Elif Shafak had said: “When I went to the US, the Zoryan Institute
educated me, and I solved the Genocide problem.” I had read something about
this elsewhere, but I had forgotten. I always get stressed when I see the
name of the instigator Zoryan Institute. Since this institute showed the
true path to Elif Shafak, let me give you some facts about it:
The Zoryan Institute (the Zoryan Institute for Contemporary Research and
Documentation) was founded in 1982 in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the US.
There is also a Canadian Zoryan Institute (The Zoryan Institute of Canada),
founded in 1984.
These two institutes form an academic centre to do research, archive and
distribute information and documents about the recent history of the
Armenians.
The activities of the Zoryan Institute are grouped into three areas:
Genocide project, Diaspora project, Armenia project. To this end, the
Institute supports multi-disciplinary academic research, documentation,
conferences and publications. This is what it is in appearance…
As a first service, in 1984 the Zoryan Institute contributed as a sponsor of
the Armenian Genocide Court, which was known by the term “Permanent
Peoples.”
According to its internet website, the Zoryan Institute prepared a
convincing report in 1999 about the Armenian Genocide as requested by the
Canadian Parliamentary sub-committee. As you know, the Canadian Parliament
accepted the Armenian genocide, based on this report.
Again in 1999, the US House of Representatives requested the Zoryan
Institute to prepare a report deflating the statements of the Turkish
Ambassador in Washington, who had denied the Armenian genocide.
Taner Akçam’s books spewing hatred toward Turkey are among the most
important publications of the Institute. As I had written before, aren’t
there other publishers who would publish Taner Akçam? And this is the kind
of organization that trains Elif Shafak on how to write novels.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of Australia
259 Penshurst Street
Willoughby, NSW 2068
Contact: Mr. Varant Meguerditchian
Tel: 612 9419 8264
Fax: 612 9411 8898
Email: [email protected]
Web:
MEDIA RELEASE: ANC of Australia Opposes Sending of Turkish Troops to
Lebanon
September 20th, 2006
Representatives of Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC of
Australia) recently met with Lebanon’s Consul General in Sydney, His
Excellency Mazen Kabbara, to discuss the Australian-Armenian community’s
anxiety and concern in regard to the participation of Turkish troops in
the UN peacekeeping forces in Lebanon.
Mr Panos Manjian, Mr Vicken Kalloghlian and Mr Varant Meguerditchian,
members of the ANC of Australia handed Mr. Kabbara a letter opposing the
inclusion of the Turkish forces in the UN peacekeeping mission between
Lebanon and Israel.
The ANC of Australia representatives emphasised to the Consul General,
that Turkey was unfit to take part in such a peace keeping mission
because of its history of human rights violations, as perpetrators of
the Armenian Genocide, illegal occupiers of Northern Cyprus and brutal
former colonisers of Lebanon.
During the colonisation of Lebanon, Turkey perpetrated massacres and
mass hangings in the Martyrs Square in downtown Beirut and implemented a
deliberate policy of starvation of the Christian population of Mount
Lebanon.
The Lebanese ambassador was attentive to the concerns and position of
ANC OF Australia and promised that he would transmit the committee’s
letter and the concerns of the Australian-Armenian community to the
Lebanese government.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Turkey: Parliament to resume debates on controversial bill
Monday, September 25, 2006
ANKARA – Turkish Daily News
Parliament will resume debates on Tuesday over a controversial bill on
private schools that the opposition insists would allow the reopening of a
Greek Orthodox seminary near Istanbul and violate provisions of the 1923
Lausanne Treaty.
Debates over the bill, part of a European Union-inspired reform package
supported by the government, were put on ice last week after the government
presented a last-minute proposal to change the definition of minority
schools in the bill — replacing the restricted description of minority as
Greek, Armenian and Jewish with the more general one of non-Muslim — and
allow foreign students to attend them.
The opposition blasted the proposal, saying it contradicts the definition
of minorities provided in the Lausanne Treaty, one of the founding documents
of the Republic of Turkey, and would pave the way for reopening of the
Heybeliada, or Halki, Seminary on an island near Istanbul — closed since
1971.
The CHP said the school was closed due to lack of students but that the
bill would allow it to reopen since it would permit students from Greece and
Greek Cyprus to attend it.
The EU and the United States are asking Turkey to reopen the seminary, and
the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate says it would help Turkey’s Greek Orthodox
minority to train new clerics.
Parliament is expected to resume debates on the original version of the
bill on Tuesday, since Industry and Trade Minister Ali Coskun announced last
week that the government had decided to withdraw the proposal.
On Wednesday Parliament is expected to go ahead with the reform package by
holding debates on a law establishing an ombudsman. The law was earlier
vetoed by President Ahmet Necdet Sezer.
On Thursday it will debate a bill aimed at introducing new standards to
improve productivity and quality in agricultural products.
In the Justice Commission lawmakers will continue debates on a
controversial bill on minority foundations, which CHP claims also violates
the Lausanne Treaty. The Planning and Budget Commission will continue with
debates on a bill on the Supreme Court of Public Accounts.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
September 25, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA CALLS FOR ASSERTIVE ADVOCACY AT ARMENIA-DIASPORA CONFERENCE
— Remarks at Armenia-Diaspora Conference in Yerevan
Stress need to Further Develop the Armenian Nation’s
“Far-reaching Network of Identity and Strength”
“We must constantly challenge, and when necessary
confront, forces aligned against the Armenian nation.”
— ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
stressed the vital necessity for the continued growth of a
“confident, assertive brand of Diasporan advocacy that builds upon,
but is not bound by, our past,” during the third Armenia-Diaspora
Conference, held in Yerevan from September 18-20.
In his remarks to the opening session of the conference, attended
by over 2,000 Armenians from around the world, ANCA Chairman Ken
Hachikian, stressed the need to “expand Armenian power and
influence globally, building a far-reaching network of identity and
strength that serve as both sword and shield for our nation.” He
added that, “We must carve out spheres of influence in the power
centers of the world, including in areas traditionally controlled
by our opponents, and we must constantly challenge, and when
necessary confront, forces aligned against the Armenian nation,
whoever they may be.”
Hachikian emphasized that, “our greatest challenges lie ahead; for
the independence of the Republic represents both the realization of
our shared hopes and the foundation upon which we will build a
strong and healthy, free, independent and united homeland.”
Participating in the opening ceremonies, which featured remarks by
a range of pan-Armenian organizations, were the President of
Armenia, Robert Kocharian, the President of Nagorno Karabagh,
Arkady Ghoukassian, leaders of the Armenian Church, notably His
Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, His Holiness Aram
I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, and the spiritual and
lay leaders of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical communities.
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian took part in the
Conference’s panel discussion on “The Mechanics of Diaspora-
Homeland Relations: A Two-Way Street,” which was moderated by
Kevork Bardakjian, Director of the Armenian Studies Program at the
University of Michigan.
The theme of the conference, which was televised in Armenia, was
“New Answers to Old Questions – Armenians in the 21st Century.”
The full text of the ANCA’s address is provided below. The ANCA
invites Armenians, in the homeland and throughout the Diaspora, to
share their views regarding these remarks by writing to
[email protected].
#####
Armenian National Committee of America
Presentation to the 2006 Armenia Diaspora Conference
Yerevan, Armenia – September 18, 2006
In the best tradition of our ancient people, we are gathered once
again around this table – the sons and daughters of the Armenian
nation – to mark our progress and to chart our way forward through
the ever-evolving landscape of the Armenian reality.
Armenians in the United States, along with Armenians around the
world, take special pride that we have come together on this 15th
anniversary of the Republic of Armenia. An independent Armenia – a
dream that many doubted, as others doubt today the full realization
of our national aspirations.
We celebrate this milestone in our nation’s long journey with a
profound appreciation of the will and wisdom – the service and
sacrifice – that have brought us to this proud moment in our
history.
We recognize, as well, that our greatest challenges lie ahead; for
the independence of the Republic represents both the realization of
our shared hopes and the foundation upon which we will build a
strong and healthy, free, independent and united homeland.
In this spirit, we welcome the very appropriate theme of this third
Diasporan Conference: “New Answers to Old Questions – Armenians in
the 21st Century.”
In searching for new answers, we are inspired that, throughout our
long history, each Armenian generation has, with the benefit of the
experience of our forbearers, reinvented the Armenian Cause. For
more than 3,000 years, our people and leaders have borne the unique
burdens of their time, struggling always to leave a better future
for those who followed.
As Armenians, we are at our best when we remain true to our
fundamental values while adapting to new realities.
We are at our best when we recognize that both our nation and the
international community around us continue to change; but that, in
addressing this new world, we have many lessons to draw upon:
* Leadership: Artashes, Tigran, and the cumulative experience of
our leaders throughout the liberation struggles for each of our
three republics
* Courage: Avarayr, Sardarabad, and Nagorno Karabagh
* Wisdom: Khrimian Hyrig’s “iron ladle” insight into securing the
leverage we needed to shape our own destiny
* Unity: Consensus among Armenians and a common front to the
outside world.
* Perseverance: The will to prevail through long years under
Persians and Parthians, Romans and Russians, Arabs and Ottomans.
As well as the extraordinary rebirth of our nation after Genocide
and exile.
We have much to learn from our history, for little that we will
face in the future will be without precedent in our past.
We have much to be inspired by, for the challenges we face will
require the courage of our forefathers.
Our history has taught us that we will remain true to our fathers,
not by tracing their footsteps, but by committing ourselves, as
they did, to understanding the challenges of our time and facing
them directly.
We all know our history. We understand that time and again we have
fought bravely to maintain our identity and preserve our homeland.
The war for Artstakh in our own lifetimes speaks to this powerful
tradition, as do countless fallen solders in hundreds of battles
over the past 3,000 years.
At other times – for far too long in fact – we have, during our
long history, relied upon accommodations and affiliations that
compromised Armenian national interests – bitter realities imposed
by the strong on the weak.
Today, 15 years after independence, as we develop strength here in
the homeland and assert our rights abroad, we have much to gain
from a hard look at our past, the good and the bad.
Historians can study whether accommodation with outside powers was
the cause or simply the result of the difficulties we have faced as
a nation – the imposition of centuries of foreign rule, the brutal
partition of our homeland. Some may see a survival strategy,
others the source of the challenges we face today.
What is certain, however, is that today – given the realities we
face, Turkey and Azerbaijan’s aggression among them, simple
accommodation cannot serve as a useful guide to Armenia’s
interaction with neighboring states, regional powers, or the
international community.
Equally certain is that Armenia’s security cannot be ensured by
affiliating with one side or another in the regional and global
balance of power, but rather by navigating an authentically
Armenian path forward, one governed by the core interests of the
Armenian nation.
Both of these realities come with great challenges. And we must,
Hairenik and Diaspora together, meet them head on.
In the United States – and throughout the Spiurk:
* We must continue to pursue a confident, assertive brand of
Diasporan advocacy that builds upon, but is not bound by, our past.
* We must expand Armenian power and influence globally, building a
far-reaching network of identity and strength that serve as both
sword and shield for our nation.
* We must carve out spheres of influence in the power centers of
the world, including in areas traditionally controlled by our
opponents.
* And we must constantly challenge, and when necessary confront,
forces aligned against the Armenian nation, whoever they may be.
The ANCA takes on these challenges daily. While many challenges
remain, there has also been significant progress. The examples are
many, among them:
* Our successful efforts to confront PBS, a major television
network, that sought to provide a very public national platform for
Armenian Genocide deniers.
* Our successful efforts to confront the misguided actions of the
U.S. Justice Department, which sought, without any reasonable
cause, to place Armenian nationals on an intrusive terrorist watch
list.
* Our successful efforts to challenge the New York Times and the
Boston Globe to reverse their long-standing refusal to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide.
* And most recently, our successful efforts to confront a White
House leadership which fired an able and devoted ambassador, John
Evans, simply for speaking the truth, and is now seeking to replace
him with a nominee clearly unacceptable to a broad cross-section of
the U.S. Congress as well, of course, to our own community.
We must do all these, and more, for an engaged and effective
Diaspora represents a vital and essential key to Armenia’s freedom
and the prerequisite for the realization of our national ideals.
We bring to this task, an organization, built upon a powerful
grassroots foundation that has – with devotion and sophistication –
carried the Armenian Cause forward in America for more than a
century.
Our more than 50 chapters throughout the United States and
affiliates in Brussels, Moscow, Beirut, and in over 40 countries
throughout the world, work tirelessly on behalf of the Armenian
Cause across a full range of issues. These efforts are familiar to
many of you here today.
As you know, we continue to work to end U.S. complicity in Turkey’s
denials of the Genocide, isolating Ankara internationally, and
forcing its leaders to come to terms with their crimes. Our aim
remains a reformed and repentant Turkey that accepts a just
resolution of the Armenian Genocide – a resolution that, to the
extent possible, makes our nation secure, healthy, and whole once
again.
Justice, beyond its profound moral implications, remains an
essential ingredient of Armenia’s security. Simply put, Armenia
cannot be safe as long as it remains bordered by an over-armed and
unrepentant perpetrator of genocide against our nation.
We continue to defend Nagorno Karabagh’s right to self-
determination within secure borders, while countering the efforts
of Caspian oil interests and others to tilt U.S. policy in favor of
Azerbaijan.
We are working every day to strengthen Armenia through the
promotion of:
* Increased trade and investment
* A strong and vibrant economy free of debilitating corruption
* Generous foreign assistance to Armenia
* Continued direct aid to Nagorno Karabagh
* Bilateral agreements designed to increase U.S.-Armenia
commercial activity
We are fighting against the illegal and immoral Turkish and
Azerbaijani blockades, as well as against their efforts to isolate
Armenia from the benefits of the Caspian energy sector.
In each of these issues, we face powerful and well-funded
opposition. Arrayed against us are some of the most influential
groups in the American political system.
We have more than met their challenge by expanding our own
resources, establishing a new permanent headquarters in Washington,
DC and building an endowment fund to finance our growth in the
years to come. We have matched these monetary gains with a renewed
focus on strengthening our grassroots, both in our larger
communities, such as Los Angeles and Boston, as well as in areas
not traditionally populated by large numbers of Armenian Americans,
among them Texas, Louisiana, Florida, the Carolinas, and the
Pacific Northwest.
We have, of course, invested heavily in our youth through our
Capital Gateway Program. This innovative program secures career-
track public policy positions in Washington, DC for talented young
Armenian American university graduates. Over the course of the
past several years, we have helped dozens of Armenians enter the
fabric of our nation’s policy-making establishment, working for
Congress and the Executive Branch, the media, think tanks, and
other policy-oriented professional organizations.
We are ready to do our part, today and for years to come.
And so, in closing, let me say that the key to our collective
success is to remain confident in our strength, the abilities of
our youth, the ultimate morality of our positions, and the devotion
of the Armenian people to the cause of our nation.
We must – here today on the free soil of our independent homeland
and long after we have left this hall – carry the burden of our
generation so that we may realize – for ourselves and for
generations to come – the promise of a prosperous, free,
independent and united Armenia.
We will only achieve this by activating our communities at the
grassroots level to take on the mission of our national struggle.
I invite each and every one of you to join with us in this fight
for our ideals and our rights. I am confident that united together
and with perseverance, we will ultimately prevail.
Thank you.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lisa Kalustian
Chief Deputy Director
Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213)897-0322
FAX (213)897-0319
GAAS:669:06
Monday, September 25, 2006
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Assist Victims of the Armenian
Genocide

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed SB
< ?bill_number=sb_1524&sess=CUR&ho use=B&amp ;author=speier> 1524, legislation that provides relief to California
Armenian Genocide victims, and their families, who are seeking legal action
to recover assets that were lost or stolen during the atrocities against the
Armenian people.
“The victims of these crimes against humanity and their families deserve a
fair day in court to recover what is rightfully theirs,” said Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I am proud to stand with the Armenian people, who
overcame adversity and contribute greatly to California’s rich and diverse
culture.”
Under this law, any Armenian Genocide victim, heir or beneficiary, who
resides in California may bring or continue a court action for a financial
institution’s failure to pay or turn over deposited or looted assets. This
bill also extends the statute of limitation for filing a claim to December
31, 2016.
Every year since taking office, Governor Schwarzenegger has issued
proclamations < lamation/606/>
for the Armenian Genocide Commemoration. Last year, Governor
Schwarzenegger signed SB
< ?bill_number=sb_424&sess=CUR&hou se=B& author=poochigian> 424, which permanently designates April 24 as a Day
of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. Link to signing
< ease/1995/> message.
-30-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Lisa Kalustian
Chief Deputy Director
Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
300 South Spring Street, Suite 16701
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213)897-0322
FAX (213)897-0319
Monday, September 25, 2006

In Response to the Slaughter in Darfur, Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Bills
Directing and Assisting State Entities to Divest of Investments in Sudan

Gov. Schwarzenegger signed two bills today that prohibits the state’s
pension funds from investing in companies with active business in Sudan and
indemnifies the University of California from liability that might result
from its divestment from Sudan.
“Today I am signing two bills that will send a clear message across the
globe: California will not stand for murder and genocide,” said Gov.
Schwarzenegger, who was joined by George Clooney and Don Cheadle for the
bill signing ceremony. “Darfur is a humanitarian crisis with hundreds of
thousands of men, women and children dead and dying and millions more
homeless or refugees. No one is being spared. And even if the violence
stopped today the country will bear deep scars for generations to come. We
cannot watch from the sidelines and be content to mourn this atrocity as it
passes into history. We must act and that is exactly why we will divest from
the Sudan. Divesting will show our defiance against the murderers and their
inhumanity. It is an action that says we will not underwrite in any way with
the horror of Darfur.”
In the 1980s, the state approved similar measures to allow state entities to
divest in South Africa in order to protest its apartheid policies.
“I couldn’t be more proud of this bipartisan effort, and thank Gov.
Schwarzenegger for his leadership at this most crucial time,” said George
Clooney. “It’s a great step forward in holding people responsible for their
actions, and a great blueprint for other states. Two and a half million
refugees just got a little safer because of this, and we have much more work
ahead of us.”
At the bill signing, the Governor was joined by George Shultz, Former U.S.
Secretary of State and Head of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors;
Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D – West Hollywood); George Clooney, actor; Don
Cheadle, actor; Adam Sterling, UC Sudan Divestment Taskforce; Alice Huffman,
California NAACP President; Janice Reznik, Jewish World Watch and Father
Vazken Movsesian, St. Peter Armenian Church.
“I am here today to commend Governor Schwarzenegger on signing these two
important bills into law and showing not only the government of Sudan but
our own leaders as well that the Governor believes human life trumps
dividends, that humane, common sense should trump dollars and cents,” said
Don Cheadle.
Specifically, Gov. Schwarzenegger signed the following two bills:

AB
< ry?bill_number=ab_2179&sess=CUR&ho use=B&a mp;author=leslie> 2179 by Assemblymember Tim Leslie (R-Tahoe City)
indemnifies the University of California from liability that might result
from divestment in Sudan. Specifically, this bill requires any current, or
former, members of the regents, officers, employees or investment managers
of the UC, and current and former officers, directors, trustees, agents or
employees of any UC foundation, be indemnified from all claims and
liability, including attorney’s fees, that might result from the decision of
the UC Board of Regents to divest from Sudan. The UC Regents voted to divest
from investments in Darfur pending the Governor’s signature of a bill like
AB 2179 that would provide indemnification for UC.

AB
< ry?bill_number=ab_2941&sess=CUR&ho use=B&a mp;author=koretz> 2941 by Assemblymember Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood)
prohibits CalPERS or CalSTRS from investing public employee retirement funds
in a company with active business operations in Sudan. This bill also
forbids the board from investing in a company that supplies military
equipment within the borders of Sudan. CalPERS, the state’s employee
retirement fund, is the largest pension fund in the nation and CalSTRS, the
state’s public education retirement fund, is the second largest pension fund
in the nation.
-30-
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

IN LEVEL OF I.T. USE BY SOCIETY ARMENIA IS COMPARABLE WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES
ARMINFO News Agency
September 22, 2006 Friday
The level of IT use by society in Armenia is one of the lowest
in the world and is comparable to the indices of Ghana, Kenya and
Zimbabwe, says the executive director of the Union of IT companies
Karen Vardanyan.
Even though Armenia is quickly developing chip design very small
number of Armenians use IT in both everyday life and business.
In order to improve the situation Vardanyan suggests equipping schools
with relatively cheap portable computers – Armenia will need some
$15-20 mln for buying each such computer for $100. Besides it is
necessary to convince our people that IT are not just for leisure
but for raising the efficiency of work, syas Vardanyan.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress